How we work

Urban climate is determined by a combination of physical parameters such as wind speed, air temperature, and solar radiation. Many guidelines and common practices simplify this complexity by assuming a fixed wind speed. This leads to unreliable and misleading results.

At Actiflow, determining wind conditions in urban environments is our core expertise. Accurate wind modelling forms the foundation of all our urban climate studies. We enrich this wind model with detailed solar and shading analyses to calculate the relevant physical parameters.

This integrated approach allows us to:

• • Assess the current urban climate using real geometry and weather data;
  • Simulate the impact of new developments;
  • Incorporate future climate scenarios to evaluate long-term adaptability.

From analysis to design strategies

Urban climate is shaped by both physical parameters and strategic design choices. Effective measures can be implemented at various scales:

• • Small-scale interventions such as vegetation, shading elements, and water features reduce local temperatures and improve comfort;
  • Building-level changes can provide shading and higher local wind speeds;
  • Large-scale urban strategies—such as green and blue corridors—help transport cool air through the city;
  • Skyline shaping and urban morphology can significantly improve airflow at street level and reduce heat stress.

These strategies contrast with decades of urban design in Western Europe, where wind was often regarded as a discomfort. We believe that resilient urban design requires balanced consideration of all physical aspects, enabling well-informed, climate-resilient decisions.

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